Summer ‘El Clásico’ in Miami

Miami is set to host a pre-season friendly between Real Madrid and Barcelona as part of plans for a summer extravaganza at the city’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Talks between the rival clubs’ officials were recently completed at a gala dinner in the States to shake on a July 29 kick-off that will be the first Clasico held abroad since a 1982 exhibition match in Venezuela.

Organised by Relevent Sports for the International Champions Cup, sources have admitted that negotiations were ‘not easy’ but the tide has finally turned in their favour after years of trying to bring the showpiece fixture abroad.

The day itself is being set up as a kind of mini Super Bowl and will represent the culmination of the 2017 ICC competition, with music concerts held before and after the game to really press home the spectacle of the occasion.

As of yet, the impact of the Supercopa de Espana is unknown with the genuine possibility that a Copa del Rey winning Barcelona side could face potential LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

Los Blancos are moving to confirm their own pre-season schedule in the coming days, including friendlies in Los Angeles, Washington DC, and an August 2 fixture with an MLS team.